He said that the Multichoice family had also organised their annual official kick-off of the new football season to celebrate with football fans.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that the occasion, which was a live streaming of matches on the opening weekend for football fans by MultiChoice, was viewed by more than 49 countries in Africa, where customers watched live matches.

He said that the SuperSport studio broadcast was live from the venue, giving football fans all over the 49 countries in Africa the opportunity to see their favourite analysts.

Mabutho said: “The festive holidays is that period where families can come together with loved ones, and our subscribers on the DSTV and Gotv plartforms are assured of quality entertainment.

“The event was an exciting one for our guests, among whom were members of the media, fans of various football clubs and former Super Eagles stars like Joseph Yobo, Victor Ikpeba and U-17 FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Fanny Amun.

“It is very important to flag-off the new season with a ceremony, where we celebrate with our football fans and our customers their passion for football.

“It was a Super Sunday because the fixtures were quite high profile and competitive for fans of Arsenal FC, Manchester United and Chelsea FC.

“It was our own way to bring many people from all walks of life together here in Nigeria and getting everyone excited about the season.”

He added that SuperSport would broadcast all the 380 matches of the Premier League live and in HD on DStv and selected matches on GOtv Max and Plus.

He also said that on offer this season include, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, Euro 2020 qualifiers and UEFA Europa League.

NAN reports that the event was held at the new gymnasium of the National Stadium, Lagos.

We are inspiring thousands of African storytellers – MultiChoice

Africa’s leading entertainment company. MultiChoice on Saturday says it is inspiring a new wave and thousands of storytellers in Africa.

According to a statement signed by the organisers of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), the entertainment company described storytelling as a core element of filmmaking,

“As the euphoria around the 7th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) simmers down, it’s time to reflect on the impact of the prestigious awards ceremony and how the creative industry in Africa continues to benefit in many ways.

“Storytelling is a core element of filmmaking and storytellers are revered for their ability to effortlessly tell stories that evoke emotions and create memories.

“The AMVCA is a celebration of African talents and through it, MultiChoice is inspiring thousands of African storytellers.

“The pay-TV company is inspiring a new wave of storytellers in Africa through its multiple local channels and huge broadcast network, it said.

According to the statement, this was done by providing premium entertainment to millions of people across the continent through its channels, especially Africa Magic.

It added: “MultiChoice is providing talented African storytellers with a platform to thrive and shine.

“Storytellers are reaching an unprecedented audience with their works on the Africa Magic channels and they are being inspired to do more.

“Since the launch of the AMVCA in 2013, African storytellers, writers, filmmakers, directors and actors have been handed more incentives to tell better stories and produce world class content.

“This, in turn, translates to mainstream visibility, credibility and an income boost.’’

It noted that the MultiChoice Talent Factory is also a 12-month fully-funded education programme that develops emerging TV and film talents in Africa.

The statement read: “This includes both theory and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling.

“Apart from showing unbridled support for works by African talents through its many channels, MultiChoice is also investing heavily in original TV series and movie productions.

“The company is collaborating with producers on popular projects including reality TV series and consequently exposing more talented Africans to the world and growing the film and television industry.’’

He cautioned that inability to protect the country’s creative works could create a negative impact on Nigeria’s creative industry which at the moment is rated among the top three in the world.

Aisen also stressed the Commission’s commitment to training and re-training staff to promote the anti-piracy drive.

He said that the NCC was committed to providing adequate capacity building for its staff to empower them to carry out their statutory responsibilities as regulatory and enforcement officer in implementation of the Copyright Act.

The DG added that the Commission was determined to provide staff with necessary technical knowledge and facilities to enhance copyright protection in the country.

NAN reports that in line with its training objective, the NCC recently held a two-day National Workshop on Broadcast Piracy and Strategic Management Meeting.

The training, with state coordinators, was organised in collaboration with Multichoice Nigeria Limited.

Aisien said the National Workshop was organised for copyright officers to gain relevant knowledge on broadcast piracy and issues revolving around it.

Speaking on the fight against broadcast piracy, Mr. Gozie Onumonu, The Head of Regulatory, Multichoice Nigeria Limited stated that the broadcast sector was critical to the development of a vibrant film industry.

He added that its relevance in the country necessitated frequent dialogue on finding ways of protecting broadcast content.

Onumonu emphasised the need to stem piracy, noting that it was a difficult but a continuous effort necessary to curb the menace.

BBNaija season 4 scammers : Multichoice cautions upcoming artistes

Abuja, March 27, 2019 Multichoice has dissociated itself from the activities of a scammer who is trying to defraud upcoming musicians who wish that their works are aired on Big Brother Naija Show Season Four.

A News Agency of Nigeria investigation reveals that the scammer, identified as Fola, is requesting the artistes to pay different sums for their acts to feature in the show.

Foa sends Whatsapp announcements to the musicians to enable them to participate in the show at a fee. (attachment)

The deal has three packages, namely, per song rotation in the house, performance at the live shows and a DJ package.

The first package costs N150, 000, the second, N450, 000 and the third, N250, 000.

Under the deal, the artistes are to be invited to play on one of the Saturday parties that are part of the BBNaija show.

NNN found that the money is to be paid into a proxy account not connected to DStv, a direct broadcast satellite service owned by Multichoice, the organisers of the show.

When approached, a representative of the promoter simply asked NNN for the package the artiste wanted and if he would love to perform or have his songs played in the house.

The representative thereafter requested the artiste to make payment and send the song via mail.

The representative insisted that the organizers were mindful of their reputation.

Some artistes (names withheld), who have already subscribed to the proposal, told NNN that they were taken in because they believed that it was usual practice of such payments to avoid any official trace.

They said though they have subscribed, they are yet to make their payment.

Meanwhile, the DStv, has refuted the claims of the group and promptly issued a statement distancing itself from the deal.

The company said: “some information has been circulation that Big Brother Naija will give music artists an opportunity to air their songs for a fee.

“Please note that the information is utterly false. Multichoice Nigeria does not and will not solicit for payment from anyone to play their songs during the Big Brother Naija season four.

“Also note that we have not authorised any individual, group of individuals or organisations to act on our behalf. Please be guided and do not be a victim of fraud.”

South African e-commerce giant, Naspers, decided to spin off MultiChoice after coming under pressure in recent years to find ways to narrow a valuation discount between its market value and that of its one-third stake in Chinese internet group, Tencent.

As of 0727 GMT, the stock was trading at 105.04 rand, adding to opening gains.

Naspers did not raise any money from the listing with the 439 million shares instead being distributed to current Naspers shareholders on a one-for-one basis for its listed shares and one for five unlisted A class shares.

Founded 30 years ago, MultiChoice reaches around 14 million households in 50 African countries, offering both paid-TV products and a fledging streaming service called Showmax.

The company has said there are more than 25 million households across the continent yet to be captured by its traditional pay-TV business.

The spin off leaves MultiChoice — whose strong cash flow helped Naspers evolve into one world’s biggest players in e-commerce – free to fend for itself in an increasingly competitive market where Netflix is already supplying viewers with TV content and Hollywood hits.

“This is a momentous time for our business… This marks the next chapter in our development and growth,” said MultiChoice Chief Executive, Calvo Mawela. (Reuters/NNN)

We’ll not operate pay as you view system, says Multichoice

Lagos, Jan. 11, 2019 (NNN) Multichoice, the digital satellite television operator announced on Friday that the company would not operate the “pay as you view’’ tariff system in Nigeria, in spite of demands for such.

The Chief Customer Officer of Multichoice, Mr Martin Mabutho, made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NNN) in Lagos.

Mabutho’s stance comes against the backdrop of persistent clamour by the company’s teeming subscribers for the introduction of a pay as you view tariff plan in Africa’s most populous nation.

“We are not going to introduce pay as you view system. Our contract with our suppliers is on month to month basis,’’ he stated.

South Africa’s Multichoice has dominated the satellite broadcast space in Nigeria since the past 25 and has remained adamant not to introduce the pay as you view system.

“The issue of not introducing pay as you view remains. Nothing will change it.

“We are not going to do it. Our contract with our suppliers are month to month basis. The channels do not belong to Multichoice.

“What we do is to slash our prices in half to make our customers enjoy our services.’’

Mabutho said that Multichoice would continue to give acquisition promos or loyalty promos to customers every quarter as incentives.

NNN reports that customers pay on month to month basis to enjoy the services of the company whether channels are watched or not.

Customers on the premium dual-view platform pay N18, 000 monthly to watch various channels, while those on compact plus pay N10, 650 to have access to about 173 channels.

Similarly, those on Compact platform pay N6, 800 monthly, while customers on Family pay N4000 to have access to109 channels on the network.

Those on GOTV Max pay N3, 200 to watch 72 channels, while those on Plus pay N1, 900 monthly to have access to 64 channels, among other tariff plans.

Advocacy group urges Multichoice on ”pay-as-you-view” software

Lagos, Jan. 23, 2019 (NNN) The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged Multichoice, the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) operator in Nigeria, to adopt a software that would ensure the pay-as-you-view billing.

The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NNN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ogunbanjo said it was unfortunate that Multichoice felt it was not possible to offer the pay-as-you-view service in the country.

”It is unfortunate. The question is ‘Is pay as you view available in South Africa where Multichoice originated?’ That we have to find out before we start to fight.

”So, let us do some research. If we can see any country that the pay-as-you-view billing is currently on, then we will challenge Multichoice to also give us the service.

”Let them find the software that will ensure the pay-as-you-view billing, otherwise we will boycott them,” he said.

Ogunbanjo said that in 2003, MTN had started per second billing in South Africa and yet said it was impossible in Nigeria.

He said that the association filed some cases in court against MTN Nigeria which made Globacom to opt for per second billing.

The president said that the same services should be applicable to any satellite television company desiring to operate in Nigeria.

According to him, the association will align with whatever demands the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has requested from Multichoice concerning its services.

NNN recalls that Multichoice, through its Chief Customer Officer, Martin Mabutho, had said it would not operate the pay-as-you-view tariff system in Nigeria in spite of demands for it.

”We are not going to introduce pay-as-you-view system. Our contract with our suppliers is on month-to-month basis. The channels do not belong to Multichoice.

”The issue of not introducing pay as you view remains. Nothing will change it.

”What we do is to slash our prices in half to make our customers enjoy our services,” Mabutho said. (NNN)

Multichoice unveils application to ease decoder installation

Pay TV provider, Multichoice, on Wednesday unveiled an application to ease the problem of installing its devices.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch on Wednesday in Lagos, the Manager, Project and Field Service, Multichoice, Mr Ekong Esong, said that the application was also for troubleshooting when the decoder might be experiencing any fault.

Esong said that the application was designed to complement other help service application.

“This means that we are able to achieve high production values whilst meeting tight timelines and ensuring the show comes to our viewers on time as planned, and with the same globally renowned quality.

“The house has played host to other Big Brother countries including; the general Big Brother Africa, Mozambique, Angola and now Nigeria,’’ the statement quoted Oghuma as saying.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting in South Africa of the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement directed the NBC to determine whether Multi-Choice, by shooting the show in South Africa, had breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way.

He said that the commission should also investigate the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.

“As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action,’’ he said.

The minister said that concerned Nigerians had bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regarded as an anomaly of shooting outside the country a show meant for Nigerians.

He urged them to remain calm, while the NBC investigated the issue and submitted its findings.